Moldovan football is in mourning following the death of Vadim Crîcimari, a former striker who also played for Oțel Galați. He passed away at just 38 years old, after receiving a cruel diagnosis in March of an aggressive form of cancer. [1]
The news of his passing was announced by the Galați club. Crîcimari was part of Oțel's squad in the 2021-2022 season but did not get to make an official debut for the team from the Danube. In recent years, he dedicated himself to coaching young footballers, working as a coach at a children's and youth academy in the Republic of Moldova. [1]
Vadim Crîcimari, a striker who played for us in red-white-blue during the 2021-2022 season, has left for a better world. Condolences to the family! [1]
Vadim Crîcimari was diagnosed with Stage IV Burkitt lymphoma, a particularly aggressive oncological condition. The news was made public in March by moldfootball.com, and close friends launched an appeal to raise funds for treatment. People responded to the appeal and donated over €23,000. Crîcimari went to a clinic in Italy for medical care, but efforts to save his life did not yield the hoped-for results. He leaves behind his wife, Victoria, his daughter Rianna, aged 11, and his son Raul, aged 5. [1]
Throughout his career, Vadim Crîcimari wore the jersey of several clubs in the Republic of Moldova and abroad. Among the teams he played for are Sfântul Gheorghe, Zimbru, Rapid Ghidighici, Academia Chișinău, Dinamo Auto, Speranța Nisporeni, Florești, Dacia Buiucani, Oțel Galați, and Dacia Unirea Brăila, as well as FK Mugham, SKA-Energiya Khabarovsk, and FC Tosno. [1]
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Update
Former Oțel Galați striker Vadim Crîcimari died at 38
The news of the death of former striker Vadim Crîcimari, aged 38, was officially confirmed on Wednesday evening by Oțel Galați. [2]
The striker had been part of Oțel's squad in the 2021-2022 season, although he did not make an official debut at the Danube. In recent years, he dedicated himself to coaching young footballers as a trainer at an academy in the Republic of Moldova. [2]
Crîcimari battled Stage IV Burkitt lymphoma, a condition publicly diagnosed in March. At the time of the announcement, the player was in Italy for treatment, after the Moldovan football community had collected funds for assistance. [2]
The source for the news photos is attributed to the Facebook page of SC Oțel Galați club. [2]
Update
Moldovan and Romanian football have entered mourning following the death of former footballer Vadim Crîcimari
Moldovan and Romanian football have entered mourning following the death of Vadim Crîcimari, the former Oțel Galați striker, who died at the age of 38. [3]
Crîcimari leaves behind a grieving family consisting of his wife Victoria, his daughter Rianna, aged 11, and his son Raul, aged 5. [3]
The striker was diagnosed in March 2026 with Stage IV Burkitt lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that affects the lymphatic system and is characterized by the rapid development of cancer cells. [3]
To secure treatment in Italy, family and friends launched an appeal of solidarity, and the community in the Republic of Moldova raised over €23,000. [3]
Before his death, Crîcimari's condition would have suddenly worsened, leading to a coma and requiring artificial ventilation support. [3]
Born on August 22, 1988, in Tiraspol, Vadim Crîcimari began his career in the Republic of Moldova before subsequently playing for clubs in Russia and Azerbaijan. [3]
Throughout his career, the striker wore the shirt of Rapid Ghidighici, Zimbru Chișinău, Academia Chișinău, Dinamo-Auto Tiraspol, Dacia Buiucani, FC Tosno, SKA-Energiya Khabarovsk, Victoria Chișinău, and Speranța Nisporeni, along with Oțel Galați. [3]
After retiring from professional football at the end of 2025, Crîcimari turned his attention to preparing new generations. [3]
After retirement, he became a coach at a football school in Chișinău, working with children and juniors, with the desire to pass on the experience accumulated on the pitch. [3]
Update
Details about the fundraising and family of Vadim Crîcimari
Former Moldovan striker Vadim Crîcimari died at 38 after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer in March. In the spring, a public appeal was made for help. Over €23,000 was raised, he was admitted to a clinic in Italy, but Vadim could not be saved. He leaves behind his wife Victoria, daughter Rianna, and son Raul. [5]
Update
FMF confirms the death of former striker Vadim Crîcimari at 38
The announcement of the death of former striker Vadim Crîcimari was made on Tuesday evening (November 5, 2026) by the Moldovan Football Federation (FMF), which extended condolences to the family and the sporting community. [4]
In March 2026, Crîcimari was diagnosed with Stage IV Burkitt lymphoma, an aggressive form of cancer, and was undergoing medical treatment in Italy, with costs partially covered by a fundraising campaign organized by the Moldovan football community. [4]
Born on August 22, 1988, in Slobozia village, Ștefan Vodă district, Vadim Crîcimari played for clubs in the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russia, and Azerbaijan. [4]
Among the clubs he played for are Academia UTM, Tiligul, Sfîntul Gheorghe, Zimbru, Dinamo-Auto, FC Florești, Dacia Buiucani, Oțel Galați (2021–2022), FC Tosno, SKA-Energiya Khabarovsk, and Mugan. [4]
After retiring from professional football, Crîcimari worked as a children's coach at the Premier Football club. [4]
The FMF expressed sincere condolences and sentiments of compassion to the relatives, friends, colleagues, and everyone who knew Crîcimari. [4]
Update
Vadim Crîcimari, former Oțel Galați striker, dies at 38
Officials from the Oțel Galați football club confirmed the death of Vadim Crîcimari, the striker who was part of the Galați squad in the 2021-2022 season but failed to make an official debut at the Danube. [6]
Crîcimari, aged 38, passed away after fighting a terrible disease, even though he remained under contract with Oțel Galați for a period, he was not used in official matches. [6]
Throughout his career, the Moldovan player featured for numerous teams, including Zimbru Chișinău, Speranța Nisporeni, Dacia Buiucani, and Rapid Ghidighici, with whom he was the runner-up in the Moldovan Cup in 2012. His last commitment was at Dacia Unirea Brăila. [6]
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Sources
- Adevărul Final tragic pentru un fost fotbalist din Superliga! Atacantul celor de la Oțelul a murit la 38 de ani, răpus de cancer
- AGERPRES Fostul fotbalist moldovean Vadim Crîcimari (ex-Oțelul Galați) a decedat la 38 de ani
- csid.ro Doliu în fotbalul românesc! Vadim Crîcimari a murit la 38 de ani, după o luptă grea cu o boală nemiloasă
- Realitatea.md Fotbalul moldovenesc, în doliu. S-a stins din viață fostul atacant Vadim Crîcimar
- Moldova 1 A murit fostul atacant Vadim Crîcimari
- observatornews.ro Fostul atacant al celor de la Oţelul Galaţi a murit la doar 38 de ani
